The Shareholder Value Myth : How Putting Shareholders First Harms Investors, Corporations, and the Public

"Shareholder value is the dumbest idea in the world." --Jack Welch Executives, investors, and the business press routinely chant the mantra that corporations are required to "maximize shareholder value." In this pathbreaking book, renowned corporate expert Lynn Stout debunks the myth that corporate law mandates shareholder primacy. Stout shows how shareholder value thinking endangers not only investors but the rest of us as well, leading managers to focus myopically on short-term earnings; discouraging investment and innovation; harming employees, customers, and communities; and causing companies to indulge in reckless, sociopathic, and irresponsible behaviors. And she looks at new models of corporate purpose that better serve the needs of investors, corporations, and society An in-depth look at the trouble with shareholder value thinking and at better options for models of corporate purpose. Executives, investors, and the business press routinely chant the mantra that corporations are required to "maximize shareholder value." In this pathbreaking book, renowned corporate expert Lynn Stout debunks the myth that corporate law mandates shareholder primacy. Stout shows how shareholder value thinking endangers not only investors but the rest of us as well, leading managers to focus myopically on short-term earnings; discouraging investment and innovation; harming employees, customers, and communities; and causing companies to indulge in reckless, sociopathic, and irresponsible behaviors. And she looks at new models of corporate purpose that better serve the needs of investors, corporations, and society. "A must-read for managers, directors, and policymakers interested in getting America back in the business of creating real value for the long term." —Constance E. Bagley, professor, Yale School of Management; president, Academy of Legal Studies in Business; and author of Managers and the Legal Environment and Winning Legally "A compelling call for radically changing the way business is done... The Shareholder Value Myth powerfully demonstrates both the dangers of the shareholder value rule and the falseness of its alleged legal necessity." —Joel Bakan, professor, The University of British Columbia, and author of the book and film The Corporation "Lynn Stout has a keen mind, a sharp pen, and an unbending sense of fearlessness. Her book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the root causes of the current financial calamity." —Jack Willoughby, senior editor, Barron's "Lynn Stout offers a new vision of good corporate governance that serves investors, firms, and the American economy." —Judy Samuelson, executive director, Business and Society Program, The Aspen Institute Executives, Investors, And The Business Press Routinely Chant The Mantra That Corporations Are Required To Maximize Shareholder Value. In This Pathbreaking Book, Renowned Corporate Expert Lynn Stout Debunks The Myth That Corporate Law Mandates Shareholder Primacy. Stout Shows How Shareholder Value Thinking Endangers Not Only Investors But The Rest Of Us As Well, Leading Managers To Focus Myopically On Short-term Earnings; Discouraging Investment And Innovation; Harming Employees, Customers, And Communities; And Causing Companies To Indulge In Reckless, Sociopathic, And Irresponsible Behaviors. And She Looks At New Models Of Corporate Purpose That Better Serve The Needs Of Investors, Corporations, And Society.--publisher Description. Introduction: The Dumbest Idea In The World -- The Rise Of Shareholder Value Thinking -- How Shareholder Primacy Gets Corporate Law Wrong -- How Shareholder Primacy Gets Corporate Economics Wrong -- How Shareholder Primacy Gets The Empirical Evidence Wrong -- Short-term Speculators Versus Long-term Investors -- Keeping Promises To Build Successful Companies -- Hedge Funds Versus Universal Investors -- Making Room For Shareholder Conscience -- Conclusion: Slaves Of Some Defunct Economist. Lynn Stout. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Introduction: "the dumbest idea in the world" -- Part I: Debunking the shareholder value myth. The rise of shareholder value thinking -- How shareholder primacy gets corporate law wrong -- How shareholder primacy gets corporate economics wrong -- How shareholder primacy gets the empirical evidence wrong -- Part II. What do shareholders really value? Short-term speculators versus long-term investors -- Keeping promises to build successful companies -- Hedge funds versus universal investors -- Making room for shareholder conscience -- Conclusion: "slaves of some defunct economist." In this radical debunking of pervasive myths about how corporations and investors behave, UCLA professor and legal celebrity Lynn Stout shows how{u2014}contrary to entrenched belief{u2014}"shareholder primacy" is not mandated by corporate law and actually harms shareholders themselves